Upopoy (Symbolic Space for Ethnic Harmony)

A national center introducing the history and culture of the Ainu, the Indigenous people of northern Japan, especially Hokkaido. It consists of the National Ainu Museum, the National Park for Ethnic Harmony, and a memorial facility.

The National Ainu Museum is Japan’s first and northernmost national museum dedicated to the history and culture of the Indigenous Ainu people. In the Permanent Exhibition Room, six themes such as language, world, and lifestyle are presented from the perspective of the Ainu people. Daily tools, hunting implements, and other items used by the Ainu are on display. One distinctive feature is that the Ainu language is used in explanations and other materials. In addition to hands-on exploratory exhibits where visitors can experience Ainu culture, the “Itak” corner lets you learn about the structure and pronunciation of the Ainu language through games, deepening your understanding of Ainu culture while having fun.

At the Experience Exchange Hall in the National Park for Ethnic Harmony, you can watch performing arts such as Ainu traditional dance, which is registered as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property and a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. At the Traditional Kotan, thatched-roof houses have been recreated, and you can tour the interiors as well as join programs to learn about daily life and culture. Trees and flowers associated with Ainu culture also grow here.

Also check out the shop selling Ainu crafts and the dining facilities serving dishes and sweets made with ingredients rooted in Ainu culture!